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Tuesday's gossip column

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Liverpool could capture Brazil winger Amanatino Mancini for a cut-price £4m as he looks set to buy out the last year of his contract at Roma. (Mirror)

Tottenham have begun talks with Valencia over £16m-rated striker David Villa, who they see as a perfect replacement for Dimitar Berbatov. Spurs also want to sign Sevilla winger Diego Capel. (Daily Mail)

Sven-Goran Eriksson will be sacked as Manchester City boss after only one season in charge. The Swede came away from an "unpleasant" meeting with club owner Thaksin Shinawatra on Monday feeling shell-shocked. (Various)

Former Italy boss Marcello Lippi believes his compatriot Fabio Capello faces a difficult time in charge of England because of the lack of home-grown players in the Premier League. (Mirror)

Cesc Fabregas is clinging on to a tiny hope that Arsenal could still leapfrog Chelsea and Manchester United to claim the Premier League title. "Nothing is impossible," he said. "We have to win our last two games and the we will see. We are not the favourites but you never know." (Various)

However, the Spain midfielder admitted he will feel very jealous when he watches the Champions League semi-finals. Of the four teams left in the competition, he said: "I really want to be in their position right now." (Mirror)

Dutch legend Johan Cruyff has backed Barcelona to triumph over Manchester United on Tuesday to make it through to the Champions League final. "I am convinced it will be a great day for Barcelona," he said. (Mirror)

And Barca striker Thierry Henry has stoked up the rivalry by claiming Old Trafford is not as intimidating as playing at Liverpool's home ground Anfield. (The Sun)

However, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed suggestions his side are feeling the pressure and snapped: "We are not cracking up. I remain confident we can come out on top." (Various)

Leicester will replace manager Ian Holloway with Iain Dowie at the end of the season if they are relegated from the Championship. (Various)

Stevenage boss Peter Taylor is set to quit in the hope of securing a position at a Football League club. (Mirror)

Barnsley skipper Brian Howard, who has been named in the PFA's Championship team of the year, is eager to sign a new deal with the club. (Mirror)

Relegation-threatened Sheffield Wednesday have slashed admission prices for their must-win last game of the season, against Norwich on Sunday, to just £10 in an effort to get a 40,000 full-house. (Daily Star)

Everton's Joleon Lescott has had a bet with his Aston-Villa supporting cousin over which team will finish highest in the league. Should he lose, the defender's forfeit is to wear a Villa shirt while sitting down to Christmas dinner with the family. (Various)

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